Locking out drivers that have been drinking

Almost seven years after its inception in the province, the Ignition Interlock program is still helping Saskatchewan drivers get their licences back faster.
The program - which involves the installation of an alcohol testing device in a vehicle - allows those convicted of impaired driving, refusing to provide a breath sample, or driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit of .08, to start driving again after three months, as opposed to the 12 months or more normally ordered by the court.
"In my view, it's helpful to most people convicted of these kinds of offences," said Moose Jaw provincial court judge Douglas Kovatch.
"The counselling and process SGI puts people through is fairly intensive. I'm almost never inclined to say someone's not eligible."
Ignition Interlock was introduced in Saskatchewan for first time offenders in November 2001.
The program was expanded to include repeat offenders in February 2007.
Since then, devices have been installed in 2,743 vehicles in Saskatchewan. Statistics specific to Moose Jaw are not recorded by SGI.
"It's proven that, the more we can teach people to separate the acts of drinking and driving, the better they are in the future," said Bernadette McIntyre, SGI's assistant vice-president of driver and vehicle safety services.
"We're not saying you can't drink, just don't drink and drive."
Five other Canadian provinces and territories - Ontario, Yukon, Alberta, Quebec and Newfoundland - and 43 American states also have a similar Ignition Interlock program.
In order to qualify for the program in Saskatchewan, one has to be convicted of drunk driving or a related offence and allowed by a judge to apply.
An alcohol testing device is then connected to the ignition and power systems of their vehicle, which prevents it from being started if the person has been drinking.
Data is recorded for 30 to 60 days and reported to SGI on a regular basis.
Devices are normally installed for a year for first conviction, two years for the second and three years for three or more convictions.
In 2007, 310 Ignition Interlock devices were installed province-wide.

A recording system
For anyone thinking about trying to fool an Ignition Interlock device, it's not worth the effort, said Bernadette McIntyre, SGI's assistant vice-president of driver and vehicle safety services.
"It would be very difficult," she said.
Although some enrolled in the program have attempted to cheat and have a sober person start the vehicle for them, Ignition Interlock devices require the driver to provide breath samples at random intervals once the vehicle is running.
If a breath sample is not provided or if alcohol is detected, the device issues a warning and records the date, time and blood-alcohol level.
It then activates an alarm until an acceptable breath sample is provided or the vehicle is turned off.
A built-in data recorder must be downloaded every 30 to 60 days by the installer.
McIntyre said if someone goes to all the trouble of finding a sober person to start the car, the sober person might as well drive.
- Sheppy